STOP COSUMING SOAKED GARRI: 3 More Die of Lassa Fever, 200 Now Under Observation

The Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, Dr Theophilus Odagme has confirmed that three people have died so far from Lassa fever in the state while 200 have been placed under observation. The 200 people placed under observation are those who had contacts with the victims before they passed on. 

He also disclosed that the medical doctor who died of the virus after carrying out a surgery on a woman has been hurriedly buried with the approval of his family.

Also, the Medical and Health Workers Union, Lagos State council, on Saturday, said that it would embark on public enlightenment to discourage drinking of Garri for now to prevent Lassa fever.

Mr Razak Adeofalade, Chairman of the union, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. According to him, the house rats that cause Lassa fever are mostly in contact with Nigerian most staple food - garri, a cassava product.

He said: "We are going to encourage members of the public to stop drinking gari at this moment, it is better that the cassava flour is utilised for 'eba’ because of the use of hot water. We are waging total war and that is: 'War against Rats,’ and that is what we are going to do to ensure we do not have another victim of Lassa fever in the state.

"We will also be telling them to ensure that their fruits and raw vegetables are properly washed if they must be consumed raw and cook to the appropriate temperature. The whole essence is to enlighten our people because education carries a lot of weight in this whole activity."